San Francisco 49ers QB Alex Smith's tough-luck season

Tuesday

Jan 29, 2013 at 7:41 PM

Ryan O'Halloran

NEW ORLEANS - Had San Francisco been better on third down and not squandered an early fourth-quarter lead to the New York Giants in last year's NFC championship game, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith would have started in the Super Bowl.

His likeness would have been on the side of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and he would have sat at a podium front-and-center on Media Day.

A year later, the 49ers have advanced to the Super Bowl against Baltimore.

But outside the Superdome on Tuesday morning, there was no Smith banner and inside, there was no podium reserved for a dozen of a team's top players.

Instead, it was Colin Kaepernick on the side of the stadium and assuming a premium interview location, both made possible when Smith sustained a concussion Nov. 11 against St. Louis.

Smith hasn't played since.

"Tough at times for sure, tough to accept, tough to watch," he said. "But we're in the Super Bowl and it's been amazing experience. But I've said it before - it's a little bittersweet."

Smith's status as a backup meant he answered questions for an hour standing near midfield, asking about his present state of mind and his future place of employment.

The top overall draft pick in 2005, Smith endured the lousy times, playing for two head coaches and losing 31 of his first 50 starts. And after last year's 13-3 record, he saw the 49ers' flirt with Peyton Manning. Smith eventually re-signed with San Francisco after visiting with Miami.

At the time of his injury, Smith was having his best year - 13 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 104.1 passer rating. San Francisco was 6-2-1 in his starts.

But the 49ers have taken off with Kaepernick, who has dazzled with his feet and arm during playoff wins against Green Bay and Atlanta.

Kaepernick's emergence has left Smith a spectator but he has handled his injury-forced demotion gracefully.

"You want to talk about a professional, the way he's handled the whole situation and the way it went down," defensive end Justin Smith said. "It would be tough for anybody to swallow. The way he's still handling it has been impressive and it's a good example for everybody on this team and that bitching and whining won't get you anywhere."

Said 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh: "He's been prepared and been involved. That's what we expect of him and that's what he has delivered. And he's another person to really credit in Colin's success because Alex has really helped him and been right there by his side."

Smith's $8.5 million salary in 2013 becomes guaranteed if he's on the roster April 1. That will put the 49ers under the gun to: a) rework his deal, b) trade him, or c) cut him.

Forget about a) - Kaepernick is San Francisco's Guy. And why would Smith want to ride shotgun?

"I feel like I have a lot of football ahead of me," Smith said. "I don't feel like this is my last opportunity - I feel like there's more out there for me."

Forget about b) - a potential suitor wouldn't be apt to acquire Smith and that price tag.

That brings c) - cutting him before the April 1 deadline. Smith scoffed at a report that said he has already requested his release.

"I don't know where that came from," he said. "There is plenty of time for that in a week."

Not exactly a denial, was it? That conversation will happen and it should be a short one.

And when Smith hits the open market, he instantly becomes the top free agent quarterback because Baltimore's Joe Flacco isn't going anywhere.

Smith will benefit from a quarterback free agent class that is long on age but short on accomplishments.

Enter the Jaguars. When San Francisco offensive coordinator Greg Roman was being linked to the opening because of his friendship to new general manager Dave Caldwell, the Smith-to-Jacksonville chatter was a natural.

Roman, though, is staying put but the Jaguars will be searching every avenue to upgrade the position and Smith could be an option. But they aren't the only team with a quarterback issue.

This was a moot point three months ago.

Smith was completing 70 percent of his passes and his top three games were in wins over Green Bay (20-of-26 for 211 yards), Buffalo (18-of-24 for 303 yards) and Arizona (18-of-19 for 232 yards).

But he was concussed while scrambling against the Rams. Smith was ruled out for the following game against Chicago.

"I knew there was an opportunity [to lose the job], no question," he said. "You're letting the next guy step in and get an opportunity. I fully knew what Colin was potentially capable of. It's the nature of sports."

Although nobody will say it, Smith's imminent exit is near and one of his long-time teammates predicts future success.

"He's a great leader," Justin Smith said. "He was having a great year and I expect he would be a great starter for [another team]."

Ryan O'Halloran: (904) 359-4401

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